I remember there used to be a header sticky at the top of this forum. I am almost done with my '55 resto and I have upgraded to CPP tubular a-arm set, and their 500 PS box. I bought the BluePrint 383 roller stroker motor with 425hp and running the PRC aluminum radiator and support. I have removed both of the original transmission "horns" from the frame and I am using Earl Williams motor mounts and transmission crossmember for the 700R4. I am interested in using 3/4 length ceramic coated headers.

Yup, when I first came on board (old database)it had been started by someone here. I redid it once before the change to a new database was done and folks began adding to it. About then, I moved to Texas, the database was changed and it went away. If someone knew how to find the old database it's still in it.

Engine size- BBC - 468 cu. in. with Brodix heads
Brand & #- Earl Williams Classics 4 into 1
Significant interference with stock manual box in stock location. This needed a heavy dimple to allow minimal clearance. I don't know how they work with a 605 box. I figured the steering box interference might be at least in part due to the Brodix heads.
Motor is 3/4 to 1 inch forward with Earl Williams side mounts
Manual mastercylinder - Yes
R&P- Not in my combination
A/C- No apparent issues
Column shift- Misses lever on stock column but I don't know about linkage from there to transmission as mine is manual.
Auto/Stick- OK with manual transmission but right side header has medium interference with Lakewood scattershield. Can be solved with moderate dimple or grinding of scattershield.
Design- Full length 2" tubes into 3 1/2" collector
Heads- Fit the Brodix heads OK. Big problem with access to spark plugs however. I have to drop the headers to get the plugs in and out.
Glide mounts- The original frame horns have to be removed.
Header bolts- Good access to the header bolts.
Ground clearance- Excellent. Nothing below frame. May tuck up a little too much as routing a 3" pipe off of the collectors interferes with Earl Williams transmission crossmember slightly.
Oil filter access- good
Frame clearance- Good
Starter clearance- Good
Comments - Nicely fabricated. Plug removal problems may be a function of the fitup with the Brodix heads, or may be a problem with stock type heads as well. Flanges had a warp on both sides when received, but seemed to pull up tight with out a leak problem. Manufacturer didn't understand that problem as he said they Blanchard grind the header flange after fabrication. An expensive header at $599 with out coating.

Sorry the pics are a little dark, couldn't get any closer with that camera.

Note: the only problem I have with these headers is the pitman arm clearance. If I take the wheel to it's full stop, it does rub the header. I'm not going to dimple them, and it does not appear to affect the turning radius, so I'll leave it as is. I think if I swapped the pitman arm, it would clear just fine. (See this topic for details of what I'm talking about.

I hate to jump in on such an old thread, but I remember pulling lots of hair out trying to figure out what fits!

Engine size- SBC
Brand & #- Coated #T8025C Thermal-Tech
Price- $250
605- stock box used, don't know about the 605 clearance
PB- Manual, dual M/C-Fit great
R&P- Don't know
A/C- I wish I knew, one day I will put AC on
Column shift- cleared just fine
Auto/Stick- TH350, worked fine
Design- 3/4 length, 2 1/2 inch collector
Heads- 202 double hump worked fine
Glide mounts- should have removed them, but didn't. Still worked ok, but muffler shop had to bend pipes around them. Came out fine
Side motor mounts- No, Front motor mounts. I think I've got room for side mounts and these will still fit.
Header bolts- The ones that came with them worked fine for the past year.
Ground clearance- Great. Nothing below frame.
Oil filter access- good
Frame clearance- good
Starter clearance- good

A few notes: Pitman arm is about 1/8" from header with full Lt turn, but no problems over last year with DAILY full Lt and turns into garage. Plugs seem to fit the way I'd expect, but tight on #1. No problems with old non high temp boots, but I would get a good set of wires just to make sure. The old trany mounts were close, but a good muffler guy can fix this up. The box showed up from Thermal-Tech with the shipping label on it from Patriot still, so I guess we know who makes these now. The welding was great, material perfect, and the coating worth every cent. I've had these on for a year now and they still look just like the day I got them. The install was SUPER easy-they fell right into place! Just keep and eye on how easy the plugs are to install either before the headers or after the headers are put on.

Has anyone tried to put this info into a table format? Would that be useful? I'd be willing to do that, but where would it be posted? Is excel a good format to use? That would be easy to update, maybe convert to a pdf file and post that?
Willy
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